THE WATER CHALLAH RECIPEcooking for the king

A water challah recipe uses no eggs. Both Sephardic and Yekkish, German, challah recipes uses less sugar than as in the traditional sweet egg challah of Ashkenazic cooks.

In this adaptable recipe, you can adjust the sugar as you like, or use honey or silan, date syrup, and it will still taste delicious. You can also replace all or part of the flour with other flours. Keep in mind that there will usually be an adjustment in the amount of water depending on the flour used.

Challah is a powerful woman's mitzvah that brings abundant bracha, blessing, into our home. Cooking for The King's water challah recipe is about much more than its mixture of flour, sugar, salt, water and oil. Interspersed within each step of the recipe are entreaties appropriate to this task.

Just as you may want to use your own challah recipe, you may decide to include personal prayers of your own. Many women find these thoughts meaningful as they mix ingredients in preparation for the mitzvah of taking challah.

Water Challah Recipe

This simple challah recipe makes six lovely loves every time. This is the best water challah recipe I have tried. It is only slightly sweet with just the right amount of density.

5 cups warm water

1+ cup sugar

4 tablespoons yeast

5 pounds flour

1 cup vegetable oil

4 tablespoons Kosher salt (3 tablespoons in Israel)

1 egg, beaten

1. SUGAR: May I see the sweetness of others’
souls and love them as they are. May
I also see the sweetness of my own soul and please help me to be generous with sweet
words and kind acts.

Pour 1 overflowing cup sugar or honey into a very large bowl

2. WARM WATER:Water is compared to Torah. We ask that our home be a warm environment, conducive for understanding each
other and the beauty of our Torah.

Stir 4 1/2 CUPS warm water into the same bowl.

3. YEAST fills the mixture
with energy and fuels its growth. May we be filled with vitality to grow
and reveal the potential within us.

Sprinkle 4 TABLESPOONS yeast over
the water and stir once.

Allow to stand about 5 minutes until bubbly and
frothy.

4. FLOUR gives the bread
its substance and definition. (white bread, spelt bread, whole wheat, i.e.) May
our days be filled with substance and meaning. May Torah and mitzvos define
our lives.

Add 5 Pounds (2 kilo) flour to the bowl.

5. OIL was used to anoint the king of the Jewish people. It connotes
nobility and honor. As you pour, say the name of each family member and think
of their noble qualities.

Slowly add one cup of oil

As you pour, whisper the names of your loved ones - If you know their Hebrew names you
should use that.

6. SALT slows down the
fermentation of the yeast. Without it, the yeast over-inflates, runs out of food
and then collapses. In Judaism we relate yeast to the ego which we try to keep
in check. May we be aware of our own self-centeredness. Please help us to
express our individual gifts in proper measure.

Measure 3 TABLESPOONS salt into the
bowl

7. Stir until the dry ingredients are moistened. In the bowl or on a clean flat surface knead the dough about 5 minutes until smooth. Add a bit of oil if the dough is dry and flour if it is too wet.

Physically,
kneading refines and develops the dough’s texture. On a deeper level, WE are ACTUALLY bringing together the physical the spiritual. Flour is like the material world——water is Torah. This is a very
opportune time to pray.

Kneading is an effort, it sure gives
our arms a workout!

With each push and pull we will think of those whom our arms arms long to hold and hug . May all who taste this bread come closer to you, G-d, and may our efforts today
result in revealed good.

8. Oil the sides of the bowl, roll the dough in the oiled bowl until it is completely coated. Cover with plastic wrap. Place covered bowl in a draft free place, a closed oven is good, to rise for an hour or until doubled in bulk.

Our neshama, like the dough, flourishes in a place of warmth and stillness. Just as the bowl is covered, our growth is not always visible. Oiling the bowl reduces friction and helps the dough to rise. May we help our loved ones by giving them warmth and understanding.

9. When the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Uncover, punch gently in the center with your fist, the dough will deflate. Now is the time to take challah.

The act of taking challah is a very deep concept that says: we accept that the source of our sustenance and strength is from none other than the King and Creator of the Universe, our own giving, loving Father.

Whether you use the ingredients in this water challah recipe, bake from one of your own or patronize your local bakery, we recognize that everything we have is from the open, loving, merciful hand of Hashem.

10. Shape dough into eight loaves. You can also make other breads with the water challah recipe. Place shaped breads on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or in pans coated with baking spray. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 30 minutes to one hour, until almost doubled. After rising, brush with beaten egg and bake 25-35 minutes until golden. After a few minutes, remove the delicious smelling loaves from their pans to cool on a wire rack.

Each of the steps in making bread for challah helps to prepare for the onset of Shabbos. When you light your candles and turn to see two challos crowning your table, feel the malchus, kingship, of Shabbos entering your home. May all who are seated around this table feel their nobility as one of k'lal Yisrael; this is a table set for The King. water challah recipe